ORLANDO (BP) – The home of Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld has long been a popular destination for Southern Baptists attending the SBC Annual Meeting. A recent episode of “The Road to Orlando” delved into the specifics of how attendees to this June’s gathering can make the most of their visit.
Host Jonathan Howe spoke with Mary Margaret West, a Lifeway contributor in women’s ministry who lives in the Orlando suburb of Winter Park with her husband and young sons, in Episode 5 – Orlando Food and Fun. They talked about attractions for attendees before and after the annual meeting at the Orange County Convention Center.
Attractions
The west concourse of the Orange County Convention Center, site of the annual meeting, lies in the heart of a bustling tourist area. SeaWorld is literally across the street, with Universal Studios minutes in one direction and Disney minutes the other way. The Orlando Eye Ferris wheel is only about a half-mile north.
West, who grew up in the area and now has a 4-year-old and 2-year-old, spoke of the area’s draw for families.
“We do all the highlights and a lot of Disney World, because we live super-close,” she said. “But that’s not the only thing to do here. … [There are] a lot of other things you can do here in Orlando.”
Disney is the elephant-sized mouse in the room and gets the most attention, with Universal right behind. SeaWorld is a more affordable option and “sneaky good,” according to Howe, as West described its attractions and rides. Disney vacation planners are willing to offer services for planning a trip, Howe and West acknowledged.
The SBC has made discount tickets available for annual meeting guests for Disney and Universal on the annual meeting website. Discounted Sea World tickets are available here.
Those are far from the only attractions, of course. The Orlando Eye, a 400-foot-tall Ferris wheel with views of the city, shouldn’t be overlooked, West added, especially at night when fireworks displays light up the sky. Legoland and Bush Gardens are within 45 minutes to a little over an hour, as is Cape Canaveral and NASA’s Space Coast to the east.
Low-cost attractions include the “iconic” Gatorland, said West.
“If you want to see some gators and have the whole reptile experience, do not sleep on Gatorland,” she said. “We went on a field trip when I was a kid, and I have a lot of friends who have annual passes to Gatorland, and their kids love to go.”
Winter Park, where she lives, also offers boat tours of about an hour’s length that go through the chain of lakes in the area.
“We’re famous for those,” she said. “It’ll take you by Rollins College. There’s a house that Mr. Rogers [used to] live in that’s on the boat tour. There’s just a lot of interesting history, and it’s a really enjoyable experience.”
Food
Pretty much every chain restaurant one can think of – including regional ones like Skyline Chili – joins local fare for dining options.
“You can find just about anything from anywhere here in Orlando that is famous somewhere else,” said West. “That makes it such an interesting place to live, because it’s such a melting pot of people and cultures that you get a ton of fascinating places to try.
“Restaurant Row” is a section of the city not far from the convention center that is highly popular and seen as a culinary “must-do.” It begins primarily at the intersection of West Sand Lake Road and Turkey Lake Road, and includes a mix of steakhouses, seafood, international fare and American bistros.
“One of my favorites is called Seasons 52,” West said. “They have a seasonal changing menu. It’s a nice, sit-down, but not crazy-expensive restaurant, a good date night kind of place, but also on the healthy side, too.”
She warned against overlooking more common options.
“If you have not experienced a Publix grocery store, while you’re in Orlando head over there and get a Pub Sub,” West said. “It’s just a part of Florida culture. When I would go to the beach with my friends, you’d stop at Publix for a sub and a Coke and take that to the beach for your lunch. We love our Pub Subs here in Orlando.”
Driving and parking
Howe pointed out to those driving at the annual meeting that parking at the convention center “is a bit limited” and isn’t free, so hotel shuttles may be a better option.
“If you do have a car, know that Orlando is filled with toll roads,” he added. “You don’t have to stop and pay a toll, but they’re going to get it through the rental car license plate and you’re going to get a bill from [the rental company].”
Driving your own vehicle doesn’t bypass the toll, of course. But a Florida SunPass can be purchased locally or beforehand. Some out-of-state versions of toll passes are acceptable, such as Peach Pass (Georgia) and NC Quick Pass. Check your state’s toll pass website to make sure.
“They call Orlando the City Beautiful, and it really is,” said West. “Don’t get caught up in the theme parks and the big stuff that’s going on, because there is so much to see and do.
“Do some homework. Look into the places we mentioned. There really is a lot to experience in Central Florida.”
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